Coin controller for games and the like



July 20, 1965 X. LEONHART COIN CONTROLLER FOR GAMES AND THE LIKE Filed July 23, 1963 INVENTOR.

XAV ER LEONHART M ATTO United States Patent Office dQSfldfi Patented July 20, 1965 3,195,706 COIN CONTROLLER FOR GAMES AND THE LIKE Xaver Leonhart, Aufhausen an der Isar, Germany Filed July 23, 1%3, er. No. 297,053 Claims priority, application Germany, July 27, 1962, L 42,560 Claims. (Cl. 19455) The invention relates broadly to a coin controller device for vending machines and the like, and more par-.

ticularly to a coin controller group having a single longitudinally displaceable operating bar, but having several coin slots, each of which receives a single type or size of coin of a different denomination than the others.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a construction of coin controller for games and/or vending machines which permits single play or multiple play of the game, depending upon the denomination of coins placed in the coin controller.

Another object. of the invention is to provide a novel and simple construction of coin controller which provides a preselected number of successive plays of a coin-operated game from a coin or coins inserted prior to the first game.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of coin controller device for games and vending machines in which the control mechanism permits single operation of the machine from coins of a predetermined denomination inserted in one slot and permits multiple operation of the machine from coins of a greater denomination inserted in another slot.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a coin controller device for games and vending machines which is simple and rugged in construction, economical to manufacture and having only a single control device which is operated in a different manner by coins of different denominations, thus reducing the number of parts to a minimum. 7 v

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art, and are set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the coin controller of the invention showing a pair of slots for receiving coins of different denominations; and

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the coin controller of the invention.

The coin controller according to the invention is characterized by a double-arm lever which is pivotally mounted on the coin controller housing and which is pivoted by a coin of greater value or denomination projecting above a release channel carried by the operating bar and which at the same time lifts the retaining flap of the'coin controller for the coins of smaller value, for single play, out of the blocked position. The controller of the invention is further characterized by a blocking surface below the release channel for retaining coins in the channel, with the blocking surface'having a slot which in-the active or-inward position of the operating bar releases the coins from the release channel when the slot is in registration therewith. is provided with ratchets which are moved on by one step by a spring-biased pawl, pivotally fastened to the doublearm lever, on each operation of the operating bar to advance the blocking surface slot toward registration with the release channel. Before completion of the released period of the operating bar the bar will have been operated a predetermined number of times, indicating a predetermined number of games being played and between successive operations of the operating bar the The blocking surface.

blocking surface is held in its new advanced position by a resiliently biased locking arm, the action of which is over-ridden by operation of the pawl.

Experience has shown that the blocking surface is best given the form of a simple cylindrical roller with a diametrically continuous slot therethrough for release of the coins. The end face of the roller in a preferred form carries twice as many ratchet teeth for the feed pawl as corresponds to the number of games or operations of the vending machine for a single coin of the greater denomination placed in the multiple game slot.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the coin controller mechanism is mounted in a base frame consisting of the front plate 1 and a mounting box having top wall 2, back wall 3 and bottom wall 4. A releasing bar 5 is mounted for longitudinal movement through front plate 1 and back wall 3 and is provided on its outer end with an operating knob and on its inner end 6, a U- shaped bow 7, of the usual form, for operating the drive of the vending machine, is screwed thereto.

As shown in FIG. l, front plate 1 is provided with a pair of coin slots 8 and 8. Slot 8 is adapted to receive coins of the proper number and denomination for operating the game or machine only once while slot 8' is adapted to receive a coin or coins of a larger denomination to operate the machine a successive number of times without having to deposit more money. This coin controller can also be arranged to'givea lower cost rate per game for coins inserted in the multiple game slot than if the games were paid for and played singly by inserting coins in slot 8. For example, singly played games using slot 8* may cost ten cents each while three games for in slot 8'.

It is to be understood that the dimensions of the var-- ious coin-receiving and handling components in the device of the invention can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, and the dimensions shown in the drawings are those used with coins of a country foreign to the United States.

When one of the usual coins is inserted in slot 8 in the front plate 1, for single operation of a game machine, the coin is scanned in-the coin tester 9, and if a counterfeit coin wasinserted, it falls, guided by track 10, through the coin-return slot 11 in the front plate and comes to rest between the legs of the U-shaped staple 12 connected to the front plate 1 where the coin is presented to the customer. The same type operation occurs when by pressing the coin-return button 13 the hinged plate 15, visible through the opening 14, is pivoted away counter to the force of the return spring 16. This deposits the coin in track 10 and ultimately on the staple 12. If the coin is correct, it falls through an intermediate channel 17 which serves as a coin guide into a release channel 18 which is firmly connected to one side of the releasing bar 5 with the lower end of release channel 18 being covered by the bottom wall 4. The height of the release channel 18 is su-chthat if the specified quantity of coins of the specified denomination has been inserted, the top coin projects a little over the upper edge of the release channel 18 and thereby the lip 19 at the front end of the retaining flap 21, which is pivotally mounted at 20 to an extension of wall portions 2 and 3, is prevented from inserting itself in the notch 23 on the upper edge of the release channel 18, under the action of the return spring 22, when releasing bar 5 is moved inwardly. releasing lever 5 inwardly, the lip 19 will slide over the upper fiat arch of the coin, so that the releasing bar can be pushed in to the end of its travel. At the same time lease channel 18 by-the bottom Wall portion 4 of the box,

Instead, upon pushing the do not constitute a part of the invention.

teeth 35 on the front face of the roller 26.

fall through slot 24 in theflbottom wall into the collection box (not shown).

The coin tester 9 and coin-return mechanism are conventional in form and a detailed disclosure of the mechanism and operation is deemed unessential since they It is to be noted that each of coin slots 8 and 8 have individual coin testers 9, coin-return buttons 10, and coin-return slots and staples 11 and Hand associated mechanisms, and like components are designated by similar reference charactors in the drawings. The coin tester 9, return slot 11 and intermediate channel guide 17 for coin slot 8 and release channel 18 are positioned to the left of releasing bar 5, as shown in FIG. 1, and are therefore not seen in FIG. 2, since the coin tester 9, return slot 11 and intermediate channel guide 17, shown therein, are for coin slot 8' and release channel 25 which are positioned to the right of bar and thus in front of the other members as viewed in FIG. 2.

Now according to the invention there is provided in side-by-side relation with the previously described coin tester 9 another identical coin tester which cooperates with slot 8' to conduct coins of greater value inserted in it toward the release channel in the same manner as previously described for channel 18. Coins deposited in slot 8' provide multiple successive operations 'of the game device as opposed to single game operation. Release channel 25 is firmly connected with the opposite side of the releasing bar 5 from release channel 18. Its lower opening, however, it not covered by bottom wall 4, but rather by a cylindrical roller 26 having a longitudinal, diametrically extending slot 27. Also, instead of a second retaining flap, such as'at 21,-there is provided a double-arm lever 29 pivotally mounted on the base frame 3 at 28, whose pin 30 on the forward end 36 thereof en gages under the retaining flap 21 of the described and illustrated single play coin controller. A return spring 31 engages the extreme end of lever 29 and this spring tends to pull the lever 29 into abutment against an adjustable stop screw 32 mounted on back wall 3 of the base frame. Further, there is pivotally mounted at the extreme end of lever 29 a lift pawl 33 which is pulled bya spring 34 against one of the engaging pins or ratchet V The inner end 36 of the double-arm lever 29 is so arranged that when no coin is inserted it slides with little play over the top of release channel 25, but is not moved about its pivot 28. If, however, a coin of greater denomination has been inserted through slot 8' in the second coin tester, it is deposited in and will project over the upper edge of the release channel 25. When bar 5 is moved rearwardly to start the game projecting upper edge of the coin will pivot the inner end 36 of lever arm 29 about the bearing point 28 in a clockwise direction counter to the tension force of return spring 32, and in so doing rotate the roller 26 to progress it by one step by means of lift pawl 33. The new position of the roller 26 is maintained by a'roll 37 which is rotatably connected with a lever 39 pivotally mounted at 38 to the main frame. Roll 37 is always pressed between two pins or ratchet teeth by the tension of spring 40. When pawl 33 again moves its rotating force over-rides the retaining force of roll 37. Slot 27, pawl 33, and pins or ratchet teeth 35 cooperate with one another in such a way that during the first operation of the double arm lever 29 about pivot 28 by pushing in of the releasing bar 5, the roller 26 is rotated by one step and thus the slot 27, which, until now was located in the plane of the release channel 25, moves on one step, out of registration, so that now the slot 27 is offset in relation to the release channel 25 and therefore the inserted large coin cannot fall through the slot 27. The release bar is moved inwardly to start each new game and only when the releasing bar 5 has been moved inwardly so often (a predetermined number) that the other end 41 of the slot 27 is again inthe plane of the release 6E, channel 25 will the operation of the machine cease. -As slot opening 41 moves into registration with the bottom of release channel 25 the coin will fall through the slot into the box (not shown) and thereby since the top edge 'of the coin is no longer available to pivot lever 29, when bar 5 is again pushed in to attempt the start of a new game pin 30 will not raise the retaining flap 21 and its forward lip 19 will move into locking engagement with notch 23, thus preventing inward travel of bar 5. Bar 5 cannot therefore actuate the start of another game until the proper number of the correct denomination coins are again placed in either slot 8 for a single game play or inslot 8' for multiple successive plays.

While the device of the invention has been shown in an embodiment including two coin-depositing slots it is to be understood thatthe coin controller device can be 7 used and adapted for use with a multiple number of coindeposit slots to provide various predetermined numbers of successive play games for various denominations of slots in said housing, each adapted to receive a single size.

coin of different denomination, first coin-retainer means mounted on said operating bar and adapted to receive coins of smaller denominations from 'certain of said plurality of coin-receiving slots, second coin-retainer means mounted on said operating barand adapted to receive larger denomination coins from another of said coin-receiving slots, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on said housing and disposed in'the path of movement of said second coin-retainer means and adapted to be pivoted by a coin of larger denomination projecting from said second coin-retainer means, a flap pivoted to said housing in the 'path of movement of said first coin relongitudinal displacement of said operating bar and adapted to be pivoted by coins of smaller denomination projecting. from said first coin-retainer means out of blocking position, means connected to open said first coin-retainer means to release the coins therefrom on longitudinal displacement of said operating bar, means connecting said lever and flap whereby said flap is moved from said block ing position upon pivoting of. said lever'to permit longitudinal displacement of said operating bar, blocking surface means having a slot positioned below and spaced longitudinally from said second coin-retainer means, a pawl connected to said lever, ratchet means connected to said blocking surface means and cooperating with said pawl whereby the slot of saidblocking surface means is moved one step toward registration with said second coin .retainer means to openthe same and release the coins therefrom through the slot each time said operating bar is moved longitudinally.

2. A coin controller as set forth in claim 1, including resilient means engaging said blocking surface means to retain the same in position, and the force of said resilient means being over-ridable by the action of said pawl.

3. A coin controller as set forth in claim 1 in which said blocking surface means includes a cylindrical roll having a diametrically continuous slot therethrough.

' t. A coin controller asset forth in claim 3 in which said ratchet means comprise engaging teeth connected on the end face of saidiroll, with the number of said teeth corresponding to twice the number of operations.

of the machine obtained with a larger denomination coin.

5. A coin controller of the type described comprising, a housing, an operating bar mounted for longitudinal displacement in said housing, a coin-receiving slot in said housing, coin-retainer means connected to said operating bar and adapted to receive coins from said coin-receiving slot, a lever pivoted on asid housing and disposed in the path of movement of a coin in said coin-retainer means and adapted to be pivoted by a coin projecting from said coin-retainer means, means normally locking said operating bar from longitudinal displacement, said means connected to said lever for movement from the locked position upon pivoting of said lever to permit longitudinal displacement of said operating bar, a movable blocking surface having a slot supported on said housing below said coin-retainer means with the slot being longitudinally spaced from said coin-retainer means and registerable therewith to open said retainer means and release coins therefrom on the inward position of said operating bar, ratchet means connected to said blocking surface, and a pawl connected to said lever and engaging said ratchet means whereby the slot of said blocking surface is moved one step toward registration with said coin-retainer means upon each inward displacement of said operating bar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,722,313 7/29 Rowe 19458 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COIN CONTROLLER FOR VENDING MACHINES COMPRISING, A HOUSING, AN OPERATING BAR MOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT IN SAID HOUSING, A PLURALITY OF COIN-RECEIVING SLOTS IN SAID HOUSING, EACH ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A SINGLE SIZE COIN OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATION, FIRST COIN-RETAINER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID OPERATING BAR AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE COINS OF SMALLER DENOMINATIONS FROM CERTAIN OF SAID PLURALITY OF COIN-RECEIVING SLOTS, SECOND COIN-RETAINER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID OPERATING BAR AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE LARGER DENOMINATION COINS FROM ANOTHER OF SAID COIN-RECEIVING SLOTS, A LEVER PIVOTED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS ON SAID HOUSING AND DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND COIN-RETAINER MEANS AND ADAPTED TO BE PIVOTED BY A COIN OF LARGER DENOMINATION PROJECTING FROM SAID SECOND COIN-RETAINER MEANS, A FLAP PIVOTED TO SAID HOUSING IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST COIN-RETAINER MEANS, SAID FLAP CONNECTED TO NORMALLY BLOCK LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID OPERATING BAR AND ADAPTED TO BE PIVOTED BY COINS OF SMALLER DENOMINATION PROJECTING FROM SAID FIRST COIN-RETAINER MEANS OUT OF BLOCKING POSITION, MEANS CONNECTED TO OPEN SAID FIRST COIN-RETAINER MEANS TO RELEASE THE COINS THEREFROM ON LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID OPERATING BAR, MEANS CONNECTING SAID LEVER AND FLAP WHEREBY SAID FLAP IS MOVED FROM SAID BLOCKING POSITION UPON PIVOTING OF SAID LEVER TO PERMIT LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID OPERATING BAR, BLOCKING SURFACE MEANS HAVING A SLOT POSITIONED BELOW AND SPACED LONGITUDINALLY FROM SAID SECOND COIN-RETAINER MEANS, A PAWL CONNECTED TO SAID LEVER, RATCHET MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BLOCKING SURFACE MEANS AND COOPERATING WITH SAID PAWL WHEREBY THE SLOT OF SAID BLOCKING SURFACE MEANS IS MOVED ONE STEP TOWARD REGISTRATION WITH SAID SECOND COINRETAINER MEANS TO OPEN THE SAME AND RELEASE THE COINS THEREFROM THROUGH THE SLOT EACH TIME SAID OPERATING BAR IS MOVED LONGITUDINALLY. 